Memorial Weekend Peaks - part 2

Ashamed to report that I did not do the big hike at Mount Mitchell (or much more than a few miles at any of the peaks), though I did see and make it to the peaks themselves. 

My travel companion found the trails more strenuous than anticipated, and in truth, they were difficult. With the right influence, I would have pushed myself to do them anyway, but we found alternative hikes at all the parks that made us both happy (and not too sore).

We did a nice 2 mile hike at Mount Mitchell. We felt the views there were my as awesome as the previous 2 peaks, but it was definitely the best hike we did with most interesting terrain and gorgeous weather. 

We stopped for a beverage at the little restaurant on our way back down and actually ended up picking up some hitch hikers. Becca and I had done some extensive discussion the prior night about the possibility of doing the longer 5.6 mile hike and then looking for a ride back down from someone who had driven to the summit (you could drive all the way up at all the peaks). We opted not to do that, but when approached for a ride by these two college kids, we said yes knowing it was what we had wanted to do and chickened out. Turned out fairly humorous as Becca started talking about leadership camp (of course) and this girl had gone to the exact same camp last year. Becca was in heaven; I think it made the agony of a weekend of outdoor activity worth it for her.

That night we drove to the small town of Brevard and were sad to see we missed the festivities of the annual White Squirrel Featival by a mere hour. Definitely a sight we wished we had beheld.

Monday we decided to cut the SC peak of Sassafrasountain short because we were concerned about getting back to Atlanta in time for our flight. Turned out to be a good choice as SC doesn't give a damn about their highest peak. It was the only one with hardly any signs, no park set up around the tourist attraction, and pretty sad display at the top--just a rock with a plaque on it. There was a deck with a pretty overlook by the parking lot.